News | Article from Yucaipa/Calimesa News Mirror

United Way's Hands On Inland Empire Day spruces up YHS 9

by Andrew Matlock, Staff Reporter

Yucaipa (June 14, 2007) - Last Saturday, well over 100 volunteers descended upon the Yucaipa High School Ninth Grade Campus to participate in the United Way's Hands on Inland Empire Day.

The Inland Empire United Way organized the event, which was designed to “transform, revitalize and brighten” the school.

Hands on Inland Empire Program Manager Larry Deckel said about three months of planning and preparation went into organizing the event so that work could begin as soon as volunteers showed up.

Deckel said he met with school officials in advance as to what work would be done then coordinated securing the required supplies, equipment and volunteers, who were led at each work area by task captains.

“A good plan brings a good outcome,” said Deckel.

Southern California Gas Company teamed up with the Inland Empire United Way to sponsor YHS 9. Public Affairs Manager Becky Estrella said the event was “great for the community and great for the school.”

Projects across the campus included painting walls and basketball backboards, planting an assortment of trees and shrubs as well as mulch.

Additionally, students and artists painted murals depicting the school's history on seven, 25 foot panels along one of the main hallways. In fact, if you look at the murals from a distance, the mountains in the paintings correspond to the actual local mountains surrounding the school.

Inland Empire United Way Director of Individual Giving Linda Kaye Hanley said, “We're so glad and happy to put resources into the community. It's all about bringing people together. The students are going to be happy and it's really great to help Yucaipa.”
YHS 9 Principal Sherry Smith was heard saying, “Wow, this is beautiful. It's going to be like a brand new school.”

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